Black Pepper Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry
Quick, flavorful Black Pepper Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry combines tender thinly sliced beef with crunchy cabbage in a bold black pepper sauce, delivering a savory, aromatic dish that’s perfect for fast weeknight dinners and meal prep. This easy-to-make stir fry balances spicy, sweet, and umami notes using simple pantry ingredients while providing a nutritious, filling meal.
- Author: Gloria
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Beef and Marinade
- 8 oz thinly sliced beef (sirloin or flank steak)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp vegetable oil (for marinade)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 cups chopped green or Napa cabbage
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced
For Stir-Frying
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Optional: 1/2 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- Prepare Ingredients: Slice the beef thinly across the grain to ensure tenderness. Chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and ginger, and slice the green onions. Have all ingredients ready and within reach for a smooth cooking process.
- Marinate the Beef: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, freshly cracked black pepper, and a splash of vegetable oil. Toss the beef slices in this mixture and let it marinate for 10-15 minutes to infuse flavor and tenderize.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat and add vegetable oil. Once hot, add the beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove beef from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Cabbage: In the same pan, add garlic and ginger, stirring quickly until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add the cabbage and cook for 3-5 minutes until slightly softened but still retaining crunch.
- Combine and Finish: Return the beef to the pan, add extra freshly cracked black pepper to taste, and stir together for another 1-2 minutes to meld the flavors. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and remove from heat.
Notes
- Use high heat for stir-frying to achieve quick cooking and keep vegetables crisp.
- Slice the beef thinly for faster cooking and tenderness.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook beef in batches if necessary to ensure proper searing.
- Grind black pepper fresh for the most intense flavor and aroma.
- Add soy sauce and black pepper gradually to control seasoning.
- Optional chili flakes can be added for extra spiciness according to preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: black pepper beef, cabbage stir fry, quick beef stir fry, easy weeknight dinner, Asian beef recipe, healthy stir fry, gluten free stir fry